Earlier, former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Runyan, a two-term Republican, said he won’t run again in his Burlington and Ocean county district. And First District Democrat Rob Andrews ended 22 years in Congress this weekend, although swirling ethics issues made the Haddon Heights congressman’s retreat less of a bombshell than Holt and Runyan’s retirements.

This makes 25 percent of the state’s 12-man (sorry, there are no women) House delegation bowing out in a single year. Remarkably, Andrews and Holt are among only 13 House Democrats in the entire nation thus far to say they are packing it in.

This represents a loss of clout in terms of seniority, but it’s also a tremendous chance to kick the arteriosclerosis of incumbency in the butt. It’s either ironic or telling that Runyan, after fewer than four years, is the only one of the trio who expressed any frustration with a dysfunctional Congress that can’t seem to get anything done. Does it takes a decade there to be satisfied with going along to get along?

Republicans Frank LoBiondo (2nd Dist.) and Chris Smith (4th) still want to return. But LoBiondo faces a challenge from “big-name” Democrat Bill Hughes Jr., son of the former congressman. It looks like a scramble for the Holt and Runyan seats (former U.S. Senate candidate Steve Lonegan plans to run for Runyan’s), and state Sen. Donald Norcross’ momentum to succeed Andrews could be slowed with GOP interest by radio host and former Eagle Garry Cobb.

With incumbent-friendly redistricting, House seats don’t change hands often. While incumbents, where running, will still be favored, it’s exhilarating that nearly all of South Jersey can cast votes this fall that will make a difference.